What Can I Substitute for Piment d'Espelette

Piment d’Espelette is the classic spice for Piperade, A good substitution for Piment d’Espelette is either Aleppo Pepper or a combo of Spanish paprika and Cayenne pepper. Photo from my Everyday French Cooking cookbook.

Piment d’Espelette deserves a spot in the spice rack of any French home cook. But alas, it can be hard to find … and frankly it’s a little pricey. Fortunately, I have two great substitutes for Piment d’Espelette:

• Aleppo Pepper: Use 3/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper for every teaspoon Piment d’Esplette called for. Taste and add more Aleppo pepper if you like. While Aleppo Pepper is not exactly the same as Piment d’Espelette, it’s a fine substitute, as it offers similar fruity qualities amidst the warm spice.

• Spanish Paprika and Cayenne Pepper: Use 3/4 teaspoon of a mild Spanish paprika and about 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for each teaspoon Piment d’Espelette called for. Taste and add more cayenne if you wish. Again, this won’t be exactly the same, but the mild-sweet Spanish paprika, combined with the heat of the Cayenne, will do the trick.

I love using Piment d’Espelette in my Happy Hour Crackers. Just top crackers with a great cheese and a bit of black olive and sprinkle with piment d’Espelette. Run under a broiler until cheese is melty. A good substitution for Piment d’Espelette is Aleppo Pepper.

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Everyday French Cooking: Modern French Cuisine Made Simple. Published in May, 2022

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